Global Commission on the Economics of Water

The global #watercrisis is not merely a matter of scarcity — it's a challenge rooted in economics!   Find out why through a visually immersive narrative website showcasing GCEW's new #EconomicsOfWater report. Beginning with the disruption of the global hydrological cycle, the website features stunning interactive visuals that illustrate how human actions are intensifying water scarcity, food insecurity and social vulnerability across the globe. The report also presents a novel set of pathways for transformation that could change the way we think about sustainability and building resilience. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3ziFncU

🌍💧 Climate change and water stress are pushing economies to the brink. Extended GDP losses faced by low- and lower-middle-income countries due to the combined impacts of climate change, reduced total water storage, and lack of access to safe water and sanitation (WASH) are staggering: 🌱 Low-income countries: A median GDP loss of 15.3%, with impacts as high as 18.9%. 💧 Lower-middle-income countries: A median GDP loss of 13.9%, up to 25%. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water emphasizes the urgent need for justice-based frameworks to address these challenges. Without action, these losses will exacerbate poverty, inequality, and food insecurity, especially in the most vulnerable regions. The report calls for: 1️⃣ Investment in WASH systems to secure human health and productivity. 2️⃣ Policies that integrate blue and green water into economic planning. 3️⃣ Governance reforms to promote sustainable water use and equity. Water is the lifeblood of the economy, yet it remains undervalued. It’s time to recognize its true importance and take collective action to mitigate these cascading crises. Dive deeper into the solutions in the final report: https://buff.ly/3Dlipna 💧 Let’s act for a future where water is managed as a shared and valued resource. #WaterEconomics #ClimateAction #WaterJustice #Sustainability

🌍💧Our analysis highlights significant disparities in water and sanitation subsidy allocation across regions. Subsidies, as a percentage of GDP are highest in economies located in Africa and South Asia. Yet, despite this allocation, universal access remains out of reach for billions: 1️⃣ Subsidies often miss their mark: Despite nearly USD 300 billion in subsidies annually, only 6% of benefits reach the poorest 20%, leaving the most vulnerable underserved. 2️⃣ Inefficiency amplifies water stress: In many regions, subsidies inadvertently incentivize overuse and waste, particularly in water-intensive crops and industries. 3️⃣ Lessons from Advanced Economies: Smaller subsidy shares in high-income regions often achieve better outcomes, demonstrating the need for better-targeted and efficient policies. 🌟 We advocate for a bold framework centred on the Three Es: 1️⃣ Equity: Redirect subsidies to underserved populations and regions to achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation. 2️⃣ Efficiency: Align subsidies with the true value of water, promoting sustainable use and reducing waste, especially in agriculture and industry. 3️⃣ Environmental sustainability: Redirect harmful subsidies toward green water infrastructure, watershed restoration, and conservation efforts, stabilizing the hydrological cycle and protecting vital ecosystems. 📘 Subsidies are a powerful tool for change, but only if designed to reflect water’s value and support justice for both people and the planet. Explore our full recommendations here: https://buff.ly/3Dlipna #WaterGovernance #ThreeEs #WaterSubsidies #GlobalWaterCrisis

🌍💧 The Global Commission on the Economics of Water proposes five bold, interconnected missions to stabilize the hydrological cycle and secure water as a global common good: 1️⃣ Revolutionize food systems to increase water productivity while meeting global nutrition needs. 2️⃣ Restore and conserve green water ecosystems, critical for stabilizing biodiversity and the hydrological cycle. 3️⃣ Establish a circular water economy to maximize efficiency and ensure every drop is reused. 4️⃣ Enable a clean-energy and AI-driven future with significantly lower water intensity. 5️⃣ Ensure no child dies from unsafe water by 2030, providing universal access to clean water and sanitation. 🌟 Why are these missions key? Water is central to life, economies, and ecosystems, yet it is undervalued and overused. These missions represent a paradigm shift: targeting systemic transformation, cross-sector collaboration, and innovation to address the growing water crisis. 🛠️ The critical enablers for success: Partnerships: Governments, businesses, and communities must co-design equitable and sustainable solutions, ensuring risks and rewards are shared. Finance: Unlock investments with innovative mechanisms that align with water’s true value, focusing on long-term and patient capital. Data: Build a global water data architecture to drive accountability and inform decision-making. Global Governance: Create frameworks that treat water as a global common good, transcending national boundaries. This is not just about managing water—it’s about rethinking its value and embedding justice, equity, and sustainability in its governance. These missions, supported by actionable enablers, provide a roadmap for a water-secure future. 📘 Learn more in our report: https://buff.ly/3Dlipna #WaterGovernance #Sustainability #GlobalWaterCrisis #WaterEconomics

💧 How much water does a dignified life require? 🌍 Every individual needs approximately 4,000 litres of water per day to sustain a dignified life—covering food, domestic, and industrial needs. Here's how it breaks down: 🥦 Food: ~3,800 litres/day, driven largely by dietary choices. Reducing reliance on animal-based calories can drastically cut water use. 🏠 Domestic needs: At least 50 litres/day for drinking, hygiene, and health—still unavailable to many in water-stressed regions. 🏭 Industry: ~322 litres/day to support production and economic activity worldwide. 📊 What must change? 1️⃣ Food systems must transform: Agriculture consumes the lion’s share of water globally. A shift to sustainable farming and water-conscious dietary habits is non-negotiable. Policies must incentivize these changes while ensuring access to affordable and nutritious food for all. 2️⃣ Universal access to WASH is urgent: The minimum daily domestic water needs of 50 litres per person remain unmet for over 2 billion people. Investing in WASH systems isn't just an ethical imperative—it’s foundational for health, productivity, and resilience. 3️⃣ Industry must align with water realities: Industrial water use must prioritize efficiency and innovation to reduce unnecessary withdrawals. Industries in water-scarce areas must lead the way with recycling, reuse, and sustainable practices. The current allocation of water is skewed and unsustainable. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water calls for bold reforms to manage water as a global common good—prioritizing equity, sustainability, and resilience in the face of a growing crisis. 💡 Let’s turn these insights into action. Learn more in our report: https://buff.ly/3Dlipna #WaterGovernance #Sustainability #FoodSystems #GlobalWaterCrisis

🌎⚖️ How we allocate water impacts communities, ecosystems, and future generations. This map, created by Müller et al., illustrates global practices in water allocation through permits, concessions, and contracts, highlighting areas of progress and gaps needing urgent action. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water emphasizes the need for: 🌿 Integration of green and blue water into allocation systems. 🔄 Justice-based frameworks prioritizing equity and sustainability. 🛠️ Governance reforms that safeguard public interest and resilience. As over-allocation and inequity threaten water security, bold action is essential💧 Explore how we can align water allocation with equity and sustainability in the Commission's report: https://bit.ly/3BeIoMJ #WaterGovernance #Sustainability #GlobalWaterCrisis

💧 In many of the most water-stressed countries, water prices remain low, failing to reflect its true scarcity. This imbalance, highlighted in the chart, fosters overuse and inefficiency, deepening the water crisis. 🌍 What this means: - Low water tariffs in water-scarce regions discourage conservation, while inequitable pricing in wealthier nations fails to address efficiency. - Our findings underscore the need for smart pricing mechanisms that reflect water’s value while ensuring affordability for vulnerable populations through targeted subsidies. ⚙️ What we advocate: 1️⃣ Implement pricing reforms to signal scarcity and encourage conservation. 2️⃣ Ensure equitable access with justice-based frameworks that protect those most at risk. 3️⃣ Integrate pricing with broader governance reforms to manage water as a global common good. Water is a shared resource, and its pricing must reflect not just its cost but its role in sustaining economies, ecosystems, and communities. 🌿 It’s time for bold action to align water governance with sustainability and justice. 📘 Explore the solutions we propose in our report: https://buff.ly/3Dlipna #WaterGovernance #WaterEconomics #Sustainability

🌊 Shared river basins urgently need treaties to govern water use, manage aquifers, and integrate green water 🌱 into sustainable water policies. Regions like the Nile, Colorado, and Danube already show how transboundary treaties foster peace, equity, and cooperation while protecting ecosystems and ensuring resource security for millions. This map by Oregon State University highlights the critical role of basin treaties in addressing challenges like water scarcity, pollution, and climate stress. For regions like the Orinoco, interregional governance is essential to prevent overexploitation, protect aquifers, and ensure water justice for future generations. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water calls for expanded cooperation to govern the full hydrological cycle, including rivers, groundwater, and green water. Together, we can create a sustainable and just water future. Learn more in the Commission's final report: https://buff.ly/49AE46Z 💧 Let's expand treaties for shared prosperity, stable ecosystems, and sustainable futures. 💧 #WaterGovernance #Sustainability #GlobalWaterCrisis #TransboundaryRivers #GreenWater

Elevating the land-water nexus on the global agenda🌳💧 This Wednesday at the #UNCCD #COP16 in Riyadh, the Global Commission on the Economics of Water and UNDP co-hosted an insightful panel focused on the intrinsic linkages between governing the water cycle and land degradation. Sustainable land use is a precondition to a healthy hydrological cycle and yields green water benefits. Keeping moisture in soils - through agriculture practices or conservation of natural habitats - effectively increase resistance to drought. This rich conversation shed light on how the water cycle connects and flows through the core of the three #RioConventions and the esteemed panelists reflected on critical paths moving forward, looking towards the UN 2026 Water Conference. GCEW Commissioner Elizabeth Wathuti , O.G.W closed the session underscoring the importance of integrating an intergenerational approach to spur impactful and lasting change. #LandUse #GlobalCommonGood #UNDP #ClimateAction #WaterGovernance #YouthWaterAgenda #EconomicsOfWater

🌍 Justice is at the Heart of Water Governance The global water crisis isn’t just about scarcity — it’s about justice. The #GCEW backs the "Water System Justice" framework, a groundbreaking approach that redefines equity in water management by embedding justice into every facet of decision-making. 💡 Why justice matters: Justice is central to solving the water crisis because it ensures that decisions prioritize marginalized voices, respect diverse knowledge systems, and protect both current and future generations. By embedding equity into governance, we can bridge inequalities, safeguard ecosystems, and create water systems that work for everyone. Justice isn’t an add-on — it’s the foundation for sustainable and inclusive water solutions. 🌊 The vision: Justice isn’t an add-on — it’s the foundation of sustainable and inclusive water governance. By integrating these principles, we can reshape water systems to work for people, the planet, and prosperity. Dive deeper into how justice is transforming water governance in our full report: 👉 https://bit.ly/3ziFncU #WaterJustice #Sustainability #EconomicsOfWater #Equity #WaterGovernance